Overhaul of really cheap horn

[Oldbear63]

A ways back, I purchased a couple of really, really cheap horns for my then 9 and 13 year old nephews, basically to use as toys. I overhauled one for the eldest a several years ago. However, I forgot to take any pictures of the horn before I started. So then the youngest one wanted his horn improved a little. This is the $17 horn I started with:











I asked him if he had anything in mind for his horn and told him I probably could not do much engraving because the horn was so dark. He was into pirates then and wanted to know if I could do anything on the horn that was from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island". I wasn't sure I could do much but said I would give it a try....I shouldn't have asked !

I made a new base plug, applied an antler tip, and made a couple of brass ring fittings to attach a strap. The map is from one of the original contemporary drawings of the mythical Treasure Island and the ship is rigged like a mid 18th century "Hispaniola". The stopper is turned rosewood and is supposed to look like a ship's stern lantern. I tried to make the whole thing not look too hokey or cartoon like.

At any rate, this is how it came out......

I sincerely hope that they grow to appreciate the time, effort and quality of your work (and the love) before their youthful negligence causes hopeless damage!

 

[Oldbear63]

Can someone explain to me how one turns the neck of a horn? I don't understand how you would chuck an entire horn into a lathe. Is this all done only by hand? The antler tip I could do easily enough.

 

[davec2]

Oldbear63,

On this horn, I hand carved / filed the black part of the neck round. The antler part was turned on a lathe and then applied. However, I have seen a horn mounted to a lathe and turned at low RPM to turn either the base or the neck. I'm sure some of the real horners could show you a picture.

 

[toot]

you sir rely took a PIGS EAR & TURNED IT INTO A SILK PURSE!!! it is just outstanding!!!

 

[Brokennock]

I tried to make the whole thing not look too hokey or cartoon like.

Seriously?

There is nothing even remotely hokey or cartoon like there.
I opened this topic expecting a dramatic reshaping of the often, "too fat third of the horn toward the tip," that I usually notice on cheaper commercial horns. Figured it would be exceedingly well done knowing your work.

But this isn't even the same horn. Absolutely amazing work.

 

[RATROD56]

A ways back, I purchased a couple of really, really cheap horns for my then 9 and 13 year old nephews, basically to use as toys. I overhauled one for the eldest a several years ago. However, I forgot to take any pictures of the horn before I started. So then the youngest one wanted his horn improved a little. This is the $17 horn I started with:











I asked him if he had anything in mind for his horn and told him I probably could not do much engraving because the horn was so dark. He was into pirates then and wanted to know if I could do anything on the horn that was from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island". I wasn't sure I could do much but said I would give it a try....I shouldn't have asked !

I made a new base plug, applied an antler tip, and made a couple of brass ring fittings to attach a strap. The map is from one of the original contemporary drawings of the mythical Treasure Island and the ship is rigged like a mid 18th century "Hispaniola". The stopper is turned rosewood and is supposed to look like a ship's stern lantern. I tried to make the whole thing not look too hokey or cartoon like.

At any rate, this is how it came out......

Damn you're talented!

 

[Ames]

 

[springfield art]

A ways back, I purchased a couple of really, really cheap horns for my then 9 and 13 year old nephews, basically to use as toys. I overhauled one for the eldest a several years ago. However, I forgot to take any pictures of the horn before I started. So then the youngest one wanted his horn improved a little. This is the $17 horn I started with:











I asked him if he had anything in mind for his horn and told him I probably could not do much engraving because the horn was so dark. He was into pirates then and wanted to know if I could do anything on the horn that was from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island". I wasn't sure I could do much but said I would give it a try....I shouldn't have asked !

I made a new base plug, applied an antler tip, and made a couple of brass ring fittings to attach a strap. The map is from one of the original contemporary drawings of the mythical Treasure Island and the ship is rigged like a mid 18th century "Hispaniola". The stopper is turned rosewood and is supposed to look like a ship's stern lantern. I tried to make the whole thing not look too hokey or cartoon like.

At any rate, this is how it came out......

Super!

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Dave, this is a rare example of making chicken salad from chicken manure : )
Absolutely unbelievable transformation.

 

[Mad L]

INCREDIBLE!
And I can barely scratch an upside down peace sign into a turkey wing bone and call it a "turkey track".